Main Restorations Software Audio/Jukebox/MP3 Everything Else Buy/Sell/Trade
Project Announcements Monitor/Video GroovyMAME Merit/JVL Touchscreen Meet Up Retail Vendors
Driving & Racing Woodworking Software Support Forums Consoles Project Arcade Reviews
Automated Projects Artwork Frontend Support Forums Pinball Forum Discussion Old Boards
Raspberry Pi & Dev Board controls.dat Linux Miscellaneous Arcade Wiki Discussion Old Archives
Lightguns Arcade1Up Try the site in https mode Site News

Unread posts | New Replies | Recent posts | Rules | Chatroom | Wiki | File Repository | RSS | Submit news

  

Author Topic: Space Base - A homebrew ICB/ZP  (Read 88312 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

yotsuya

  • Trade Count: (+21)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 19955
  • Last login:Yesterday at 10:19:17 pm
  • 2014 UCA Winner, 2014, 2015, 2016 ZapCon Winner
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,137636.msg1420628.html
Re: Space Base - A homebrew ICB/ZP
« Reply #160 on: January 21, 2015, 08:42:10 pm »


Nice. Nice. NICE!!!!!
***Build what you dig, bro. Build what you dig.***

wp34

  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 4794
  • Last login:April 10, 2022, 09:48:19 pm
Re: Space Base - A homebrew ICB/ZP
« Reply #161 on: January 21, 2015, 08:52:04 pm »
Those sides look great even unstained.  :applaud:

Did you paint the logo by hand?  It looks great.

harveybirdman

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2538
  • Last login:February 19, 2024, 12:40:25 pm
  • SHMUP'EM
Re: Space Base - A homebrew ICB/ZP
« Reply #162 on: January 21, 2015, 09:19:05 pm »
Looking very good, I've had a rough night of arcade building and it's nice to be able to look at projects like this to stay motivated.

ChanceKJ

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 3229
  • Last login:August 07, 2021, 02:52:06 pm
Re: Space Base - A homebrew ICB/ZP
« Reply #163 on: January 21, 2015, 10:50:50 pm »
Stain the sides gray, a nice deep shade, age it, then print a copy of that pin up chick and toss her on the sides.

talkgeek

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 199
  • Last login:February 03, 2024, 02:30:46 am
  • Every day you wake up breathing is a GOOD day!
Re: Space Base - A homebrew ICB/ZP
« Reply #164 on: January 21, 2015, 11:40:58 pm »
looking amazing  :applaud: - keen to see the finished product
Currently building http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,137777.0.html Mass-Replicate
Built "n0tsq3" cocktail cab http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,133913.0/all.html
..and restoring a Sega MegaLo 410 Candy Cab & Moon Patrol Cab

danny_galaga

  • Grand high prophet of the holy noodle.
  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 8441
  • Last login:Yesterday at 09:21:49 pm
  • because the mail never stops
    • dans cocktail lounge
Re: Space Base - A homebrew ICB/ZP
« Reply #165 on: January 22, 2015, 01:35:41 am »

Whatever the hell this is, it looks fantastic (",)


ROUGHING UP THE SUSPECT SINCE 1981

ChanceKJ

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 3229
  • Last login:August 07, 2021, 02:52:06 pm
Re: Space Base - A homebrew ICB/ZP
« Reply #166 on: January 22, 2015, 03:34:42 am »

Whatever the hell this is, it looks fantastic (",)


johnrt

  • Guest
  • Trade Count: (0)
Re: Space Base - A homebrew ICB/ZP
« Reply #167 on: January 22, 2015, 07:15:43 am »
My God this is nice!!! I believed in this project from your very first post, but this is exceeding my expectations! Can you adobt me??

Le Chuck

  • Saint, make a poll!
  • Wiki Contributor
  • Trade Count: (+6)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 5509
  • Last login:March 26, 2024, 08:00:17 pm
  • <insert personal text here>
Re: Space Base - A homebrew ICB/ZP
« Reply #168 on: January 22, 2015, 09:36:52 pm »
Thanks!  This weekend is going to be a mess but the weekend after I have blocked out to do the CP with all the parts that I have on hand.  It won't be complete but it should be close enough to test out the ball return and movement mechanics.  Providing everything is copacetic there I'll be able to assemble the second one and ship it up North.  Then IDS can take over the thread for while ;)

@ PBJ - looks like your comment got nuked but I take that as high praise lol

Those sides look great even unstained.  :applaud:

Did you paint the logo by hand?  It looks great.

The logo is just the primer with me rollering the black over the top of the grooves lol.  It's filled in black now that I put on the last two coats (one wouldn't cut it) and will eventually fill in the v-grooves by hand with either silver or a highlight color.  I'm leaning towards silver tho. 

My God this is nice!!! I believed in this project from your very first post, but this is exceeding my expectations! Can you adobt me??

1) Thanks!
2) Are you a 17 yr old girl of Asian heritage who has a birthday coming up in the next few months?  If so PM me details and I'll fax over the paperwork and ship a box with prepaid postage so you can show up at my doorstep. 

danny_galaga

  • Grand high prophet of the holy noodle.
  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 8441
  • Last login:Yesterday at 09:21:49 pm
  • because the mail never stops
    • dans cocktail lounge
Re: Space Base - A homebrew ICB/ZP
« Reply #169 on: January 22, 2015, 11:39:29 pm »

Whatever the hell this is, it looks fantastic (",)



Ahhh! Very nice indeed! I find it very hard to replicate something that already exists (witness my failed 1/4 scale Space Invaders cab) So I have nothing but  :notworthy: particularly since I guess this isn't a particularly well documented machine (",)


ROUGHING UP THE SUSPECT SINCE 1981

wp34

  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 4794
  • Last login:April 10, 2022, 09:48:19 pm
Re: Space Base - A homebrew ICB/ZP
« Reply #170 on: February 06, 2015, 12:02:41 am »
I played Ice Cold Beer for the first time in my life tonight and finally get what all the hubbub is about.  I'm all in for this project.   :cheers:

Generic Eric

  • Trade Count: (+2)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 4520
  • Last login:March 05, 2024, 09:02:23 am
  • Restore! Don't maim for MAME, build from scratch!
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,143226.0.html
Re: Space Base - A homebrew ICB/ZP
« Reply #171 on: February 06, 2015, 10:50:41 am »
Are you going to sell this at retail?  Or through operators with routes?  How do you see this getting out to the public?  Some where I got the idea this was going to be for sale.

It looks neat.  It all seems like the sort of thing that could be expanded on.  Are you going to have "new missions," with new playfields and sounds and vocals?


Le Chuck

  • Saint, make a poll!
  • Wiki Contributor
  • Trade Count: (+6)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 5509
  • Last login:March 26, 2024, 08:00:17 pm
  • <insert personal text here>
Re: Space Base - A homebrew ICB/ZP
« Reply #172 on: February 06, 2015, 12:00:27 pm »
Are you going to sell this at retail?  Or through operators with routes?  How do you see this getting out to the public?  Some where I got the idea this was going to be for sale.

It looks neat.  It all seems like the sort of thing that could be expanded on.  Are you going to have "new missions," with new playfields and sounds and vocals?

Step 1:  Working Unit
Step 2:  Release the cut plans, art, schematics, part lists to the community
Step 3:  ? ? ?
Step 4:  Profit

Seriously tho, this is a labor of love, I have no intention of trying to have this be "the next thing".  I have thought about doing a limited run but I have a full time job, everyone else working on this has a full time job, and we are doing it for the fun of the project.  Me, IDS, and Eds1275 are guaranteed one for cost of parts.  We know raw costs what this project is approx. going to run when complete but haven't run the traps on what a run would cost/do to us. 

As far as different modes, art, PFs etc - that's why we're releasing it to the community.  That's your job man.  That said, for the sound, we have enough sound cuts that with some creative programming it's very likely that every game of Space Base played will sound unique from now until the end of time.  Something about a quintillion different sound combinations or something. 

Rick

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2787
  • Last login:May 09, 2023, 01:16:55 pm
  • Bartop, Cocktail and Pinball Arcade Cabinets
    • Gameroom Designs Canada
Re: Space Base - A homebrew ICB/ZP
« Reply #173 on: February 06, 2015, 06:38:37 pm »
CNC machine has arrived and is installed.

This. Is. Awesome. Congrats, Le Chuck! She's a beauty.

johnrt

  • Guest
  • Trade Count: (0)
Re: Space Base - A homebrew ICB/ZP
« Reply #174 on: February 06, 2015, 06:56:27 pm »
Man! I'm so excited by this project, I'm just jumping up and down to not ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- myself!
Really: On a want-one-myself scale from 1 to 10, this is a ∞!!!

eds1275

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2157
  • Last login:March 21, 2024, 02:31:34 pm
  • Rock and Roll!
Re: Space Base - A homebrew ICB/ZP
« Reply #175 on: February 07, 2015, 05:19:54 pm »
Man! I'm so excited by this project, I'm just jumping up and down to not ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- myself!

...I don't know if you understand how to not ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- yourself properly!

PL1

  • Global Moderator
  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Online Online
  • Posts: 9393
  • Last login:Today at 04:47:42 am
  • Designated spam hunter
Re: Space Base - A homebrew ICB/ZP
« Reply #176 on: February 07, 2015, 05:29:41 pm »
Man! I'm so excited by this project, I'm just jumping up and down to not ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- myself!

...I don't know if you understand how to not ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- yourself properly!
Depends.   >:D


Scott

yotsuya

  • Trade Count: (+21)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 19955
  • Last login:Yesterday at 10:19:17 pm
  • 2014 UCA Winner, 2014, 2015, 2016 ZapCon Winner
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,137636.msg1420628.html
Re: Space Base - A homebrew ICB/ZP
« Reply #177 on: February 07, 2015, 05:32:27 pm »
Man! I'm so excited by this project, I'm just jumping up and down to not ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- myself!

...I don't know if you understand how to not ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- yourself properly!
Depends.   >:D

Scott

***Build what you dig, bro. Build what you dig.***

Le Chuck

  • Saint, make a poll!
  • Wiki Contributor
  • Trade Count: (+6)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 5509
  • Last login:March 26, 2024, 08:00:17 pm
  • <insert personal text here>
Re: Space Base - A homebrew ICB/ZP
« Reply #178 on: February 08, 2015, 06:05:20 pm »
Was able to get some more body work knocked out and did the primary construction on the playfield - this is the one that I will pack up and send North next week but dropped it into the build so I could see how it will look once complete. 

 
Detail of ball return on the back side, used some bondo to finish out the funnel I needed to ensure the ball goes down to the ball gate each time.  The next is the PF with vinyl applied and guide holes punched.  Then is was short work with the palm router and a laminate trimmer bit to clean it all up nice and purdy.


Back of the PF, the five sided shape is the back stop of the ball return with guide holes drilled for LEDs.  Also not installed are the switches we'll be using, but the panel slides out and those are an easy install - minus the wiring assache. 

 
Decided to go with silver for the engraved logo, I like it.  Also, used the original sideart as a custom back door piece since I'm reworking the sideart for now. 

 
I'm also still playing with the CPO so I haven't printed that yet, and I need to do a bunch of other detail stuff (custom stickers, warnings, labels, tags etc) but I am just really pleased with how it's looking so far.  Of course, once the electronics are done I'll need to cut out the white from the bezel score area but didn't want to fiddle with that for now. 

yotsuya

  • Trade Count: (+21)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 19955
  • Last login:Yesterday at 10:19:17 pm
  • 2014 UCA Winner, 2014, 2015, 2016 ZapCon Winner
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,137636.msg1420628.html
Re: Space Base - A homebrew ICB/ZP
« Reply #179 on: February 08, 2015, 06:09:22 pm »
Looks SWEET, my friend!
***Build what you dig, bro. Build what you dig.***

Louis Tully

  • Trade Count: (+5)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1800
  • Last login:February 13, 2015, 09:41:03 pm
Re: Space Base - A homebrew ICB/ZP
« Reply #180 on: February 08, 2015, 06:10:50 pm »
.
« Last Edit: February 12, 2015, 07:33:25 pm by Louis Tully »

yotsuya

  • Trade Count: (+21)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 19955
  • Last login:Yesterday at 10:19:17 pm
  • 2014 UCA Winner, 2014, 2015, 2016 ZapCon Winner
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,137636.msg1420628.html
Re: Space Base - A homebrew ICB/ZP
« Reply #181 on: February 08, 2015, 06:52:04 pm »
Don't jinx them, bro! It's not working yet!  >:D
***Build what you dig, bro. Build what you dig.***

rablack97

  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2215
  • Last login:May 11, 2022, 06:50:10 pm
  • If you don't try, you have no chance at innovation
Re: Space Base - A homebrew ICB/ZP
« Reply #182 on: February 08, 2015, 08:56:11 pm »
He he heh,  trousers messed... Had to do it, well deserved though....

Nice work sir!!!!!! :applaud:

yotsuya

  • Trade Count: (+21)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 19955
  • Last login:Yesterday at 10:19:17 pm
  • 2014 UCA Winner, 2014, 2015, 2016 ZapCon Winner
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,137636.msg1420628.html
Re: Space Base - A homebrew ICB/ZP
« Reply #183 on: February 08, 2015, 08:58:54 pm »
He he heh,  trousers messed... Had to do it, well deserved though....

Nice work sir!!!!!! :applaud:

I would actually agree that this is trousers-messing worthy.  :cheers:
***Build what you dig, bro. Build what you dig.***

ChanceKJ

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 3229
  • Last login:August 07, 2021, 02:52:06 pm
Re: Space Base - A homebrew ICB/ZP
« Reply #184 on: February 08, 2015, 09:12:42 pm »
He he heh,  trousers messed... Had to do it, well deserved though....

Nice work sir!!!!!! :applaud:

I would actually agree that this is trousers-messing worthy.  :cheers:

+1

And he's a chiver   :cheers:

thatpurplestuff

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 667
  • Last login:Today at 12:19:42 am
Re: Space Base - A homebrew ICB/ZP
« Reply #185 on: February 08, 2015, 09:13:34 pm »
looking amazing so far!

So once again, we find that evil of the past seeps into the present like salad dressing through cheap wax paper, mixing memory and desire.

Nephasth

  • Guest
  • Trade Count: (0)
Re: Space Base - A homebrew ICB/ZP
« Reply #186 on: February 08, 2015, 10:12:54 pm »
SUPER clean. :applaud:

harveybirdman

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2538
  • Last login:February 19, 2024, 12:40:25 pm
  • SHMUP'EM
Re: Space Base - A homebrew ICB/ZP
« Reply #187 on: February 08, 2015, 11:40:51 pm »
Masterfully done  :cheers:

Sjaak

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 706
  • Last login:March 12, 2024, 03:32:16 am
Re: Space Base - A homebrew ICB/ZP
« Reply #188 on: February 09, 2015, 03:16:27 am »
That looks amazing  :applaud:

johnrt

  • Guest
  • Trade Count: (0)
Re: Space Base - A homebrew ICB/ZP
« Reply #189 on: February 09, 2015, 03:25:35 am »
So, yeah... best Fullsize Dedicated of 2015.
+1
I don't see anyone topping this.
« Last Edit: February 09, 2015, 03:27:35 am by johnrt »

bfauska

  • Trade Count: (+2)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1372
  • Last login:December 28, 2023, 04:41:45 pm
  • "You're not wrong Walter, you're just an @##hole!"
Re: Space Base - A homebrew ICB/ZP
« Reply #190 on: February 09, 2015, 04:04:34 am »
So, yeah... best Fullsize Dedicated of 2015.
+1
I don't see anyone topping this.
Just to play devil's advocate and reiterate the jinx aspect... someone could top it by just finishing if this goes the way of some of the greats from years past and doesn't finish this calendar year. But otherwise this project has so much cool stuff it's going to be awesome when it does finish. I really like the mechanical type of games and hadn't thought of them as BYO possibilities before.

Le Chuck

  • Saint, make a poll!
  • Wiki Contributor
  • Trade Count: (+6)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 5509
  • Last login:March 26, 2024, 08:00:17 pm
  • <insert personal text here>
Re: Space Base - A homebrew ICB/ZP
« Reply #191 on: February 09, 2015, 11:13:31 am »
Thanks guys!  There is a lot left to do but we're more than half way for sure.  Music is in the can, the program works - just needs to be tested with the hardware to sure they work together (may need to bump up to stepper motors once we can start play testing), we're sure to have hiccups making sure that lights are visible where we want them visible, limit switches are in the right place, everything is adjusted so the ball consistently stays on the bar - stuff like that.  My 50m target tho is getting the PF packed up so it doesn't get damaged in transit and sent off because until that PF gets to Canada this project is essentially frozen.  I just had to make sure that it would fit together the way we designed it.  So far it does so we're on to step 2 (which is actually step 35 or something like that ;) )

wp34

  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 4794
  • Last login:April 10, 2022, 09:48:19 pm
Re: Space Base - A homebrew ICB/ZP
« Reply #192 on: February 09, 2015, 11:59:07 am »
That looks fantastic.  The wood-grain on the sides looks great with the black front.   :applaud:

Le Chuck

  • Saint, make a poll!
  • Wiki Contributor
  • Trade Count: (+6)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 5509
  • Last login:March 26, 2024, 08:00:17 pm
  • <insert personal text here>
Re: Space Base - A homebrew ICB/ZP
« Reply #193 on: February 09, 2015, 01:56:04 pm »
Nice route.  Always wanted a cnc...

  Been having some rough times lately,  but thought id offer a little more advice before its regrettable.

 The bar hinge mounts you have are not as robust as the originals.. and I suspect they wont hold up too well for duration of use.

 See if you can get someone to send closeups of the mounts.   

 Even the originals had their weak points.  I had to rebuild my assembly.  I was fortunate to find a hobby shop that sold the thin walled tubing that matched the original spec.  I drilled the holes, and then injected some hot glued into the tubes ends to keep them still so they wouldnt bend/flex/loosen. .. and while hot, inserted the mounts in place.

 The tube thickness is important.  Too.thick... and there will be a drop off and or hop point... where one bar meets the next.  You cant have a sticky spot on a game like this.. as it will throw off the much needed, and quite critical, gameplay control.

 I ended up using brass, cause I thought it looked great... and was a better match for the look of a bar themed game.   However,  after considering it more after the fact... I was thinking that the original tube may have better durability and less friction, with long term use.  I think I at least clear coat sprayed them lightly after polishing them.

 I wondering if a 3 tube / bar  system wouldnt be a better idea. A system to lock the main bar in center would be needed.

 As for the surface and hole internals... you want these glass smooth.  Any surface friction will ruin gameplay.. as the ball may get slowed or stuck.  Dust often was the cause... and it was so badly effecting gameplay, that I had to take the entire machine apart,  cleaning every surface... including the ball routing trails.

 Probably want to use a laminate, and or a plexi covering. The holes will probably need plastic tube inserts... else the ball will wear them quite quickly... especially if using mdf.  Plastic will also be easier to clean.

 Dont merely rely on paint.  Balls rolling over a painted and.or even a lightly clearcoated surface... will still tear it apart quickly.   On pinballs,  the longest lasting machines playfields have a clear mylar film glued on them.

 Remember... mechanics are brutal.  Friction, wear, mass, collisions... all a factor.  Enough smahing... and things get loose.  Loose parts cause misalignment. .. which causes grinding wear... which escalates quickly into permanent functionality problems.

I just now caught this post - there are some pretty good recommendations here so I'll address most of this as it might be of interest to somebody doing the same later on. 

The PF is primed, painted, and vinyl'd.  The vinyl does have a protective covering but we'll have to see how that lasts.  Doing an a clear acetate overlay might be required but I'll wait and see how it stands up.  The holes are all painted and the score holes are sanded out very well but are just MDF and paint.  If I can find a right pipe with the proper ID it might be worth doing an insert so that's a good idea.  The out holes are large enough that I don't anticipate an issue. 

I used hot glue on the ball stops since they aren't internally threaded, the bars are steel tube and the larger of the two goes right to the stop of the smaller to minimize the step down, and to minimize that further I ground it down to a beveled ramp.  The attachment points to the linear bearings is a concern, I looked at small machinist rod ends and if the rods don't hold up I'll go that way as well.  I didn't because - although there are forces on these parts - I anticipate them to be below the reasonable wear point of the equipment, and the cost saved if worth the potential hassle of replacement.  If I built it out for commercial application I'd make similar decisions but lean towards being more robust. 

Again, this is prototype and once we can playtest if I need to make adjustments I can.  One thing that I've read is problematic on ZP and ICB is the chutes and scoring system.  We've eliminated the chutes entirely and the scoring system is magnetic non contact but requires more testing.  Providing that works we'll have take care of major wear out issues of the original.  Still have to replace drive bands from time to time tho. 

Locke141

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1690
  • Last login:February 03, 2024, 06:00:00 am
  • Never grow up.
Re: Space Base - A homebrew ICB/ZP
« Reply #194 on: February 10, 2015, 07:11:51 am »
 :notworthy:

blkdog7

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 119
  • Last login:October 07, 2015, 04:43:38 pm
  • Mushroom Kingdom, MA
    • John's Arcade
Re: Space Base - A homebrew ICB/ZP
« Reply #195 on: February 10, 2015, 10:23:47 am »
Wow, just wow! You did a great job on this so far. Can't wait to see it working!

SavannahLion

  • Wiki Contributor
  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 5986
  • Last login:December 19, 2015, 02:28:15 am
Re: Space Base - A homebrew ICB/ZP
« Reply #196 on: February 10, 2015, 11:38:18 pm »
You will be hard pressed to find a set of tubing of a specific material with the desired IDs without compromising.

I needed clear tubing so I attempted to get a set of tubes with the right ID. I could find one tube that matched, two if I wanted "good enough" but not three sizes without making compromises I didn't want to make. Worse, the plastic tubes I selected cracked under the slightest awkward pressure.  Straight flush cuts by hand isn't my idea of calming.

One compromise would be to find tubes of any material for the lining, mix and match materials as it were. Might have more luck finding tubes of the right ID than I did. I couldn't make that compromise myself.

I sound like X when I say this, but I have alternative ideas that might do the trick.

Le Chuck

  • Saint, make a poll!
  • Wiki Contributor
  • Trade Count: (+6)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 5509
  • Last login:March 26, 2024, 08:00:17 pm
  • <insert personal text here>
Re: Space Base - A homebrew ICB/ZP
« Reply #197 on: February 11, 2015, 07:36:53 am »
You will be hard pressed to find a set of tubing of a specific material with the desired IDs without compromising.

I needed clear tubing so I attempted to get a set of tubes with the right ID. I could find one tube that matched, two if I wanted "good enough" but not three sizes without making compromises I didn't want to make. Worse, the plastic tubes I selected cracked under the slightest awkward pressure.  Straight flush cuts by hand isn't my idea of calming.

One compromise would be to find tubes of any material for the lining, mix and match materials as it were. Might have more luck finding tubes of the right ID than I did. I couldn't make that compromise myself.

I sound like X when I say this, but I have alternative ideas that might do the trick.

Actually I've already researched this and it's very easy since I don't have to worry about light transmission I can just use metals.
.64" ID non ferrous aluminum pipe for the score holes at ~$2/ft  That's aluminum only because I need to use the magnasphere switches in the score holes and don't want interference. 

tons of other IDs in steel to get me within a 1/1000th of an inch to what I require I don't know why I would bother to pipe the outholes tho since they are so much larger than the ball the chances of them sticking are slim; however, if I decided to I could get the whole board done for about $35 more - which is more cost than I'm currently willing to sink into those holes.  It would be a simple matter of updating the hole diameters on my g-code, using a cut wheel on my miter saw and a block stop to get them down to the right depth, and epoxying them into the slots. 

Rather than be all cloak and dagger you could just open up your thread again and actually start posting some pics and stuff in it about your ICB styled adventure.  I don't have the best ideas in town - that's why this thread is here, to help me get good solutions.  We might be able to help you do the same. 
« Last Edit: February 11, 2015, 07:40:03 am by Le Chuck »

SavannahLion

  • Wiki Contributor
  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 5986
  • Last login:December 19, 2015, 02:28:15 am
Re: Space Base - A homebrew ICB/ZP
« Reply #198 on: February 11, 2015, 09:54:03 am »
I haven't posted much because there isn't much to show. I have more broken parts and pieces than anything worth photographing.

Edit: after a bit of consideration, i think you're probably right. I'll make a specific project announcement sometime in the next two weeks or so (however long it takes to get my docs in one place)
« Last Edit: February 11, 2015, 10:45:31 am by SavannahLion »

xefned

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 121
  • Last login:June 07, 2021, 01:28:30 pm
  • Unearthing ancient threads is my special skill.
    • Matthew's projects
Re: Space Base - A homebrew ICB/ZP
« Reply #199 on: March 19, 2015, 03:58:54 pm »

Incredibly ambitious and super cool.   :applaud:

It looks like an improvement over the original thematically!!


Searching for Zwackery, not because it's rare, because it's fun.